Resolutions or Resolu-nots?

Happy 2014!

It is a new year. Time for some brand spanking new NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS!! Or at least recycling some old ones. Or in my case, making a resolu-not list.

What is that you ask?

Well, like at least half the planet, well intended souls everywhere have made a list and are determined to see it through. Scouring the Internet, I have found some examples of these hopeful wishlists.

1.Lose Weight

2.Volunteer to Help Others

3.Quit Smoking

4.Get a Better Education

5.Get a Better Job

6.Get Fit

7.Eat Healthy Food

8.Manage Stress

9.Take a Trip

10.Save Money

11.Manage Debt

12.Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

13.Drink Less Alcohol

14.Learn Something New

15.Enjoy Life More

It is now almost a month into the new year and I am willing to bet not even 10% have put no.1 into action. Call me cynical but I too was once a hopeful young thing confident that I was going to turn my resolutions into a reality. But the harsh truth is that however organized we are or how determined we aim to be, life gets in the way. I think the best new year resolution should have only one thing on the list. Which brings us to my resolu-not:

1.      Do not have a new years resolution

That's it.

Human nature defies against rules and regulations. Even though we are governed by them everyday and I think we actually need some of them to stay sane, it is nicer to believe we are free spirits. Free to live as we like and nobody can tell us otherwise!

However, if you must have a list, tell yourself you are doing the things on that list because you want to and not because you are forcing yourself to. Also, make it realistic. If you are not financially able, don't plan a trip that's going to land you in debt. If that's the case, no.10 (Save Money) and no.11 (Manage Debt) should not even be on your list!

As for no.2, no need to volunteer in a big way. Loaning a fellow student your extra pencil, helping someone with their groceries or buying a cup of coffee for the homeless man down the street. All these simple gestures will earn you brownie points and you can definitely scratch at least one thing off your list. But don't stop being nice. Let it become a part of you and you will be one step closer to making the world a better place. I believe this will give no.15 (Enjoy Life More) a head-start. This goes for no.12 as well. Don't make recycling a resolution. Make it a daily practice!

For the sake of your own health and well being, quitting nicotine and alcohol is something worth looking into. But do it wisely because if you are anything like me, the day I tell myself I am going to stop drinking is the day I get drunk.

So like Santa, make your list and check it twice. Make some resolutions that you know you can achieve. Looking at your unfulfilled 2014 list in 2015 is only going to make you sad.

I leave you with some simple suggestions that I am going to try as well. Good luck to you and to me too...

1.      Stop being so cynical

2.      Greet your colleagues with a smiley “Good Morning” everyday.

3.      Find at least one thing to laugh about everyday

4.      Give yourself one special inexpensive treat a week.

5.      Do a good deed everyday, big or small.

6.      Stop pressing the snooze button

7.      Don't make promises you can't keep

8.      Be more on time to everything

9.      Always say please and thank you

10.  Stop restricting yourself. If you enjoy doing something, just do it. If it's bad for you, do less of it. If it's good for you, do more of it.

 “I will bestir myself,' was her resolution, 'and try to be wise if I cannot be good.”

―Charlotte Brontë